Atonement

Found 24 Search results

1. "I Have Formed You; You Are My Servant"

   Haftarot: Vayikra

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The prophet describes the relationship between God and Am Yisrael in terms of a servant and master. Sacrifices are therefore necessary to enable the servant to stand before his master. The reason behind the redemption in the haftara is God's responsibility toward the nation as a master, who is obligated to care for his servants. The haftara ends with the prophet mocking idolaters who create their statues, and emphasizes God's role as a creator.

2. Repentance and Atonement: The Haftara of Yom Kippur

   Haftarot: Yom Kippur

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   Does the haftara of Yom Kippur teach us about repentance or atonement? This lesson examines the terms teshuva and kappara, while highlighting the connection between these concepts and mitzvot between Man and His Fellow as opposed to mitzvot between man and God.

3. The Sanctity of the Nation of Israel in Sefer Devarim

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Why are obligatory sacrifices not mentioned in Devarim? Apparently there is an essential distinction between atonement in Vayikra and atonement in Devarim. In Vayikra the essence of sanctity stems from the Mishkan, and the nation's atonement is achieved through the work of the Kohanim. In Devarim, the essence of Kedusha is embodied by the nation; the sins of Am Yisrael are forgiven through prayer and teshuva.

4. Atonement in Sefer Vayikra and in Sefer Devarim

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Bnei Yisrael are told, for the first time, that God will choose a place for the dwelling of the Divine Presence, where they can bring their gifts to God. The list of gifts is repeated over and over, which raises the question: why does the Torah mention the voluntary sacrifices (Olah and Shelamim; Tithes; vows; etc.) but omit the obligatory sacrifices? Devarim seems in general to ignore obligatory sacrifices. The reason might offer perspective on the distinction between Vayikra and Devarim.

5. Atoning for Impurity?

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 15 minutes

   Parshat Metzora focuses on tzaraat, an extremely severe type of tum'a, with a detailed purification process. By seeing what the Metzora (the affected person) undergoes to remove, we can understand what he is removing and what the significance is of “kappara” (atonement) in a case which is apparently beyond one's control.

6. The Tzitz

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   What is the role of the tzitz? In this article, Rabbi Yaakov Medan explains that the tzitz comes to bring about God's favorable acceptance of the sacrifices, even if mishaps occurred while they were being offered. Referencing Biblical and Talmudic sources, Rabbi Medan lists the specific types of sins for which the tzitz atones - for the altar and for the ritually impure sacrifices brought upon it, as well as for the impudence and brazenness that led to the desecration of God's name at the altar with a false oath.

7. A Deeper Look At The Priestly Role

   Rabbi David Block |

   Why does the Torah use the culminating moment for the priests to go through a long and bizarre induction ceremony? And what do its parallels to a certain other section of text teach us about the deeper role of the priests of the Temple? Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/

8. Taharat HaMetzora

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   What does the status "tamei" imply?  By closely examining the purification process of the metzora, we notice direct parallels with the atonement process on Yom Kippur, and identify three distinct stages in the purification of a metzora - kappara, tahara, and chinuch. Through a close reading of the text we can understand that tum'a is a state which interferes and prevents the relationship of a man with the sacred, with kedusha, and with God. 

9. Atoning Before God

   Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot

10. What is the Difference between Purity and Atonement?

    Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Brandes

11. Atonement for Nadav and Avihu's Sin

    Rabbi Yehuda Rock

12. Complete Forgiveness

    Amos Hakham

13. Atonement in Sefer Vayikra and in Sefer Devarim

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak | 12 minutes

    What is at the heart of the differences in perspective on the sacrificial offerings between Sefer Vayikra and Sefer Devarim, and what can this teach us about two distinct types of sanctity that the Torah presents?

14. Yom Kippur in Tanakh

    HaTanakh.com Staff

15. Vayikra 16-20: From Sanctuary to Sanctity

    Rabbi Dr. Avraham Walfish | Hour and 12 minutes

    The book of Vayikra is best known for its lengthy discussion of ritual matters involving the Sanctuary, including the laws of sacrifices and of impurity. However, the latter part of the book has little to say on these matters, focusing instead on the ramifications of the Torah's injunction to "be holy". In this lecture we will examine the ways in which Chapters 16-20 of Vayikra serve as a bridge between these two topics. The issues discussed and their arrangement, as well as the use of keywords, verbal echoes, and imagery, serve to highlight both the differences and the interaction between sanctity focused on the Sanctuary and sanctity focused on everyday life.  

16. The Meaning of Kappara (Atonement) in the Torah

    Rabbi Yehuda Rock

    Kappara (atonement) occupies a very important place in the Torah, particularly in the context of the Sanctuary and its sacrifices. The subject is covered for the most part in Sefer Vayikra, but it is actually in the story of Yaakov and Esav (in parashat Vayishlach) that the commentators have chosen to address the general question of the meaning of atonement.

    It would seem that "atonement" is generally understood as occupying the same semantic realm as forgiveness (selicha) and pardon (mechila), i.e., as referring to a change in attitude on God's part towards man, with regard to his sins, and in the context of withholding punishment. In rabbinic literature, this meaning certainly exists. However, as we shall see, in the language of the Torah this is not what the concept means.

    Our discussion will be based on a philological and exegetical examination, following which we will also be able to build a more fundamental conceptual understanding of kappara, pertaining to some elementary aspects of the relations between man and God.

17. Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim - The Yom Kippur Teshuva Service

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 33 minutes

    Parashat Acharei Mot is NOT about Yom HaKippurim, though the ritual described is to take place on that day. Rather, it is the avoda of teshuva, performed on the day seen as the culmination of the teshuva process. We will try to understand the idea behind the avoda of teshuva. What is the central feature of teshuva that takes place  in the Beit haMikdash, when the kohen determines that Israel is in need of some sort of avoda of teshuva? We look at the two types of teshuva in Rav Soloveichik's thought, ponder why there is a reference to the Nadav and Avihu story, and consider how one can ennoble a sinful past.
    
     

18. “What is man, that You should remember him, and a mortal, that You should count him?”

    Rabbi Gad Eldad

    Parshat Ki-Tisa begins with the description of a census of Bnei Yisrael, which was carried out by means of the half-shekel. Up until now, the subject has been the construction of the Mishkan, along with its vessels and related matters. It is not clear how the census has anything to do with this. In addition, the commentators are divided as to whether the command conveyed here is applicable to future generations, or whether it is limited to a one-time census. Through a close examination of the text, we can understand that the point is not the census, but rather the atonement money that is collected by means of the census and which is used in the Mishkan. Atonement money prompted by the heart and ransom of the soul are two dimensions that nourish one another, jointly purifying man and bringing him closer to God.

19. Tetzaveh - Mishkan, Aharon, and the Sin of the Golden Calf

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 minutes

    Parashat Tetzaveh offers us a vantage point onto the place of sin in our reality.  There is a well-known debate between Rashi and Ramban about the placement of Tetzaveh vis a vis the Sin of the Golden Calf. Was the command to build the Mishkan given before the Sin of the Golden Calf as a way to continue the experience of the Revelation at Sinai, or was it a way to facilitate an atonement process after the Sin of the Golden Calf?

    We look at the implications to gain insight into the function and role of the mishkan according to each view – how does each deal with possibility of sin,  and failure? And where does Aharon fit in with all of this?

20. Acharei Mot: Preparing for Yom Kippur

    Rabbi Jay Kelman

21. Egla Arufa - Kohanim and Communal Responsibility

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 15 minutes

    In this shiur, we look at the "egla arufa ritual," undertaken when a corpse is found between two cities. The elders must take a young calf, and the Kohanim are commanded to appraoch - "because God chose them to bless His name" and deal with quarrels and nega'im. The Torah does not say what they do here, though - the text shifts back to the role of the elders. What is going on? What are the Kohanim meant to do, and why doesn't the Torah specify their task here?

    Even without any action or practical practical purpose, the Kohanim must be there. We, too, can remember that sometimes our presence - or God's presence, is significant in its own right.

22. How Does the Scapegoat Atone - A Message of Mercy and Hope

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    Seemingly, there should be no such day as Yom Kippur. How can there possibly be any rectification of sins committed intentionally? Repentance certainly has its place, for it comes to repair the deformed personality; but how can a sacrifice bring forgiveness and atonement for anything other than an unintentional sin? Through an examination of the texts relating to the scapegoat on Yom Kippur and the book of Yonah, we understand that Yom Kippur teaches us that without mercy, the world cannot exist at all. Despite all logic, justice, truth and judgment, Yom Kippur brings us a message of hope, atonement, and great possibility.

23. The Battle between Good and Evil in the Yom Kippur Service

    Rabbi Elyakim Krumbein

    In parashat Acharei-Mot (Vayikra 16), the Torah describes the special service performed by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) – a service meant to atone for the sins of the Children of Israel. The means for achieving this atonement are quite unique, and the need for them demonstrates both the importance of this service, and its difficulty. The service is performed only "once a year" – on Yom Kippur, the day that stands out from all the rest of the year by its special sanctity. A fundamental question arises from a reading of this parasha on the literal level. This is not the first time that the Torah discusses a matter of atonement for sin through sacrifice. A lengthy elaboration of this precise subject is provided at the beginning of Sefer Vayikra. So we must ask: what is missing from Parshat Vayikra? What new principle appears in our parasha that we did not read about a few chapters earlier? Parshat Acharei-Mot’s additions allow us to understand that the atonement for sin is a matter more weighty and complicated than what we are able to understand from parashat Vayikra. However, the identification of these differences brings us closer to an understanding of the message that the Torah is trying to convey through them.

24. Sacrifices of the Heart

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky